Vance Tatum, one of the members of the No. 2 college baseball recruiting class in the nation. When did you find out that your recruiting class was ranked No. 2?
"A little earlier today."

What is your reaction to that ranking?
"I knew it was a good class but I didn't know how it would compete on a national level. It seems so surreal that I am a part of all of this. And now some of my best friends are a part of it."

The thing about it is Mississippi State has been one of the elite programs over the course of the last four decades and this is the second highest recruiting ranking in their history. Knowing you are a member of that class really has to make you feel special inside.
"Yes sir, it makes you feel great but I really feel it's going to pertain to more how we perform on the field than the (recruiting) numbers."

It probably does put a little more pressure on you to perform on the field because you don't want to be No. 2, you want to be No. 1. You want to change the national finalist trophy to a national championship trophy. I am correct in saying that, aren't I?
"Yes sir."

Let's look at your recruitment. What other schools looked at you?
"The other schools were Memphis, Tulane, Arkansas, LSU and Ole Miss."

What was it about MSU that caused you to choose them
"My biggest thing was (MSU pitching) Coach (Butch) Thompson, he is absolutely the man. I (also) loved the atmosphere here. And obviously the program's success. I love everything about it."

Now that you have had a chance to work with Coach Thompson, has it been what you expected it to be or even more?
"It has been absolutely wonderful. I expected everything because I had talked to former players and everyone said how great of a coach he is."

How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? What are people going to see when they see you on the mound, what pitches you throw and your velocity?
"I have a fastball that runs a little bit and that is in the upper 80s. I also have a curveball and a changeup."

What has it been like getting to know the other players and being at Mississippi State?
"The other players have made me feel nothing but welcomed. All the guys are like that. It's a whole big family."

Gene Swindoll is the publisher of the GenesPage.com website, the source for Mississippi State sports on Scout.com sports network. You can contact him by emailing swindoll@genespage.com.

\r\n\r\n\r\nVance Tatum, one of the members of the No. 2 college baseball recruiting class in the nation. When did you find out that your recruiting class was ranked No. 2?\r\n\"A little earlier today.\"

\r\n\r\nWhat is your reaction to that ranking?\r\n\"I knew it was a good class but I didn't know how it would compete on a national level. It seems so surreal that I am a part of all of this. And now some of my best friends are a part of it.\"

\r\n\r\nThe thing about it is Mississippi State has been one of the elite programs over the course of the last four decades and this is the second highest recruiting ranking in their history. Knowing you are a member of that class really has to make you feel special inside.\r\n\"Yes sir, it makes you feel great but I really feel it's going to pertain to more how we perform on the field than the (recruiting) numbers.\"

\r\n\r\nIt probably does put a little more pressure on you to perform on the field because you don't want to be No. 2, you want to be No. 1. You want to change the national finalist trophy to a national championship trophy. I am correct in saying that, aren't I?\r\n\"Yes sir.\"

\r\n\r\nLet's look at your recruitment. What other schools looked at you?\r\n\"The other schools were Memphis, Tulane, Arkansas, LSU and Ole Miss.\"

\r\n\r\nWhat was it about MSU that caused you to choose them\r\n\"My biggest thing was (MSU pitching) Coach (Butch) Thompson, he is absolutely the man. I (also) loved the atmosphere here. And obviously the program's success. I love everything about it.\"

\r\n\r\nNow that you have had a chance to work with Coach Thompson, has it been what you expected it to be or even more?\r\n\"It has been absolutely wonderful. I expected everything because I had talked to former players and everyone said how great of a coach he is.\"

\r\n\r\nHow would you describe yourself as a pitcher? What are people going to see when they see you on the mound, what pitches you throw and your velocity?\r\n\"I have a fastball that runs a little bit and that is in the upper 80s. I also have a curveball and a changeup.\"

\r\n\r\nWhat has it been like getting to know the other players and being at Mississippi State?\r\n\"The other players have made me feel nothing but welcomed. All the guys are like that. It's a whole big family.\"

\r\n\r\n

\r\n

\r\n\r\nGene Swindoll is the publisher of the GenesPage.com website, the source for Mississippi State sports on Scout.com sports network. You can contact him by emailing swindoll@genespage.com.\r\n